WORSHIP AND HOLINESS

Psalms 96:9 says “Oh worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.”

God in the above Psalms call us to worship.  This is also a call to holiness. The call to worship is a call to holiness. God is not only calling us to worship Him in the beauty of holiness, but to live in His beauty of holiness.  I believe this is the true relationship with the Holy Spirit.

In First Thessalonian 4:7-8 says “For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. (His holiness not ours)  Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.”

For God call us to live a life of holiness and if we reject this we also reject the Holy Spirit.  The degree of holiness in our life will be the degree of the presence of God.  For God lives in a Holy temple and we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit.

Our calling first is to live His holy life, not to have a ministry and travel over the world preaching the gospel.  Our calling is holiness and our ministry is worship. And out of the two we live, our lives will penetrate into lives we minister.  Even in Isaiah 35:8,9 (NAS) says “And a highway will be there, a roadway, And it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, but it will be for him who walks that way… but the redeemed will walk there.”

The hunger for His holiness will keep us away from the devil.  The fool would not walk in the way of holiness only the redeemed will be there.

Remember holiness has got nothing to do with sin at all. When we talk about holiness we are not looking at ourselves we are looking towards the One who is HOLY.  God never said be holy with your own holiness. Be ye holy as I AM HOLY! Holiness comes from God first. A holy vessel coming to His Holy Presence.

God is bringing a change to our daily worship. In Old Testament the high priest would be pulled out if there was no noise inside the Holy of Holies.  Today, God is pulling us back into the Holy of Holies as the veil was torn into two when Jesus died at the cross.  As I say before songs must not be sung as songs to pass the time and let the Word or preacher comes in.  Our worship songs must lead us into the holiness of God. That is where the presence of God is, the Holy of Holies. The essence of worship is to touch God’s presence. His holy presence will make us holy. Sin habits will be broken and chains loosed.

The hour is coming, and now is, when all the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit (of holiness) and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. (John 4:23) In fact, when we enter into His holiness or holy presence – His holiness will transform us from glory to glory. We are not talking about avoiding sin here. Sin will be melt here in this place. No sin or devil can walk there.

Many times in church we want the worship to end and wait for the Word to be shared.  Many are more excited for the Word or the Preacher.  We give 20 per cent to worship and 80 per cent to the Word.  Worship must come first 100 per cent and then God will pour out His Living Word and Waters into our lives 100 per cent too.  Living Worship is in our hand and Living Word and Living Bread is in His Hand.  His Living Word will give us the revelation of Jesus more and more.  Our Living Worship brings down the glory and power of God to heal the sick and even transform people lives. When God's power and presence is so great we do not need the Word. God will take over.

O worship the Lord into His beauty of Holiness and reverence before Him all the earth!  He is our Holy God!

Brazilians Got Talent 2011 - Amazing Grace - Jotta A - The Best Kids

THE POWER OF THE SPOKEN WORD OF FAITH

Believing God is wonderful. But Jesus urged us to do one more thing — to speak the word of faith, to verbalize what we are seeking from God. Such a believer, who understands the power of the spoken word of faith, "shall have whatsoever he saith". I like the word that says in Mark 11:22-23, KJV ..."Have faith in God. [23] For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith."
We see here three steps of faith that gets results in Mark.
 
(1) Have faith in God [vs. 22] — faith in His Word, in His promises, in His Son Jesus. It’s not “faith in faith” or in memorized formulas that gets results, but faith in God.
(2) Believe in your heart, without any doubts
(3) And say with your mouth what you believe. (It takes a long time to some people) The bad and negative news we are tempted to say it easily.
 
 Believe in your heart and say with your mouth. Believing God and His Word is of great importance. But Jesus encourages us further to articulate, to say aloud, what we are believing God for. There is great power in the spoken word of faith.
Who is our High Priest? Jesus.
Hebrews 3:1 says he is “the High Priest of our confession" – Christ Jesus.  We are not called to confess all our faults. We are told to confess our promises and our rights, our salvation and blessings in Christ.
 
Hebrews 4:14 “Seeing that we have a Great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us holdfast (don’t let go) our confession. When we confess or say something or agreeing with Him what He says - we are actually confessing to our High Priest – Jesus and entering into the Throne of Grace. It is God that hears our confession every day.
 
What do we confess?  We confess our blessings! Our Healing!  The Word “confess” is actually agreeing with God that you have them.
Vs. 24 says, “Therefore, I say to you whatever things you ask when you pray, BELIEVE THAT YOU RECEIVE THEM, and you will have them.”
 
The word didn’t say “feel you have them” especially for healing.   It says “believe” first not feel first. The same verse vs. 23 says “SAY” THREE TIMES while BELIEVE is one time only. Everything we believe we say, “This is Pastor So and So”  We believe it.  The nurse says, “this is Doctor Tan” and we believe he is Doctor Tan.
Look to your mirror daily and begin to confess something “I am strong today!  I am blessed today! This year I am going to be healthy, rich and prosperous, wealth of the gentiles is coming to me, my business is good and so forth. Believe and say it many times until it becomes part of you.
 
We pray with our mouths, (we open our mouth) and when we preach with our mouths, (sound does not comes from our ears or eyes)  When we testify it is with our mouths and when we praise and worship it is with our mouths.  The mouth of the believer is the launching pad for the rocket of God. (Arrows of God) We can launch the arrows of God or the arrows of devil.
Uncleaned spirits like frogs also coming from the mouth spoken in Revelation 16:13 -  “mouth of the dragon, out mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, for they are spirits of demons performing signs …  gathering them to the battle of the great day of the God Almighty”
 
In Romans 10:8-10 says, “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: [9] That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” (that powerful Name) with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
KJV: [10] ...with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Greek: soteria).
 Our mouth confesses unto “salvation” (the Greek word has various biblical meanings):

• the new birth, “getting saved”
• health and healing
• deliverance
• rescue, peace
• safety, and more blessings – everything that Jesus paid
     through His blood is yours.
 
 That’s why it’s so important to help new believers pray a spoken “sinner’s prayer”. Help them to confess their newfound salvation with their mouths.  If you’re sick, believe God for your healing. And vocalize it! Articulate it! Don't just hold it inside. With the mouth confess faith in God unto healing. There is great power in the spoken word of faith!  If let’s say, I am Doctor Tan…. I believe I am! You mention that name in the hospital “Doctor Tan you are wanted” I will run to you to attend to your case.  You mention God’s name He runs after you to help you.  He said, “ Call upon My Name and I will answer you.”   Healing will come after you.  We know our names and we call our friends name, but forget His Name! Jehovah Jireh, (Provider)  Johovah Rophe (Healer)
 
EL SHADDAI:  God Almighty or "God All Sufficient." 48 times in the OT, 31 times in Job. First used in Genesis 17:1, 2. (Gen. 31:29, 49:24, 25; Prov. 3:27; Micah 2:1; Isa. 60:15, 16, 66:10-13; Ruth 1:20, 21) In Revelation 16:7, "Lord God the Almighty." The Septuagint uses Greek "ikanos" meaning "all-sufficient" or "self-sufficient.
 
JEHOVAH-JIREH:  "The Lord will Provide." Genesis 22:14. From "jireh" ("to see" or "to provide," or to "foresee" as a prophet.) God always provides, adequate when the times come.

JEHOVAH-ROPHE:  "The Lord Who Heals" Exodus 15:22-26. From "rophe" ("to heal"); implies spiritual, emotional as well as physical healing. (Jer. 30:17, 3:22; Isa. 61:1) God heals body, soul and spirit; all levels of man's being. Mention His Names!
Several years ago we went to one of the hospital in town.  One of my friend’s uncle had a cancer on the throat.  Cancer was so big around his throat.   It scared me when I looked at him. But faith came up in my spirit.  “I said don’t worry your cancer is going to be gone”  So boldly! “Jesus is going to take it away.” Something I say came from my spirit and heart. If I say it out of my head he would die with that cancer.  One week later his uncle did not die but the cancer died!
Genesis 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  God used words to speak and it comes to pass.
 
God’s goal is to get hold of our mouths. There is always a connection between God’s mouth and His Word in the scriptures.  The Bible says, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds (ever present tense). There is a word that is proceeding out of the mouth of God to us right now. God has no mouth to represent Him on earth – he has our mouth.
 
Isaiah 55:11 – says “So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but shall accomplish that which I please…..  God’s Word has a purpose, it brings pleasure to Him and it prospers us greatly.
Matthew 12:37 - Word you speak can put you into bondage especially negative ones.
Proverbs 10:11 – “The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life”
Proverbs 12:14 – “A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth”

Most of us have no idea of the power they carry in their mouths.  The words we put into our mouths are like seeds; they produce after their kind – harvest.  We are going to reap a harvest from the words we have spoken. Praise the Lord!  May the Lord bless our spoken mouth! May our mouth gives words of life to others.

JESUS CAME TO DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL

Jesus came so he could destroy the devil and his works [sin] in us.
For this purpose the Son of God has been revealed [in us], that he might destroy [in us] the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

Jesus told Paul he sent him : "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, release from sin's slavery, and an inheritance among those who are sanctified and purified by faith in Me."

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Rom 6:15

Paul said,  true grace is not salvation, but instead a soul-and-heart-purifying process that brings salvation.  Grace is defined in Paul's letter to Titus:

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts,
and how to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity [lawless deeds, sin], and purify for himself a peculiar people, zealous for good works.   Titus 2:11-14

Whoever commits sin practices lawlessness; for sin is lawlessness.   1 John 3:4

One who still sins might mistakenly argue they are redeemed from every lawless deed, but not that grace has purified them!
Grace brings salvation after leading to salvation, attained by a process of essential actions of repentance. Repentance is to be in sorrow after grace shows us our condition, resolving to be different, and then conducting ourselves differently.

Grace brings salvation by teaching us what to deny, leading us to repent. By grace, we are shown our sin by the Holy Spirit. We repent by denying ungodliness and lusts, to living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
We seek righteousness to please Him and in the blessed hope of the glorious appearing of God and Jesus with the Kingdom. So by grace we see a problem in our heart. We repent. Then by grace, we get strength to be different - the cleansing of our heart.

By this process, we are redeemed from all iniquity and purified by Jesus to become enthusiastic workers of good.

Paul said in Eph 4:7, ‘but to everyone of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.’ and if you wish to grow up to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, you must grow in grace.
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18
Grace is not instant. Grace is not a one time dispensation. Grace is a process, that results in more grace.

The end of grace is to see your salvation brought to you. For the grace of God that brings salvation. Titus  2:11
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;   1 Peter 1:13
He will appear the second time, not to bear sin, but to bring full salvation to those who are waiting for and expecting him. -  Heb 9:28

ARTICLE TAKEN FROM FRANCIS HOWGILL 

GIVING BIRTH TO DREAMS

 

Our text is taken from Genesis 37:5 -  “And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to is brethren: and they hated him yet the more.”  In the book of Genesis we read the story of Joseph and God promised His provision, promise and harvest to Joseph in a dream.  But Joseph had to wait for many years to receive his dream come to pass.  He has gone through slavery, false accusation, prison and repeated disappointment.  But Joseph never gave up and he persevered. We have God’s Word for a promised inheritance. We do not give up!

We have at one time dreams great dreams for ourselves and for God. And sometimes these dreams and visions are like seeds planted into our hearts.  And then we have been receiving promises after promises from God.  THESE PROMISES ARE LIKE SEEDS PLANTED IN OUR HEARTS.  THEY DON’T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.  IT’S SO EASY TO GIVE UP OUR DREAMS.  WE MUST UNDERSTAND GOD NEVER ABORTS A DREAM.  WE MAY GIVE UP BUT THE SEEDS ARE PLANTED IN US.  (JOSEPH HAD A DREAM)

But sometimes there were disappointment that comes through our paths.  And disappointment causes the seed to lie dormant. Maybe you believe to do something for God but you could not do it at the moment. MAYBE YOUR BELIEVE FOR A GOOD BUSINESS – but settle for it after so many failures. You dream to go further but setbacks come and you are comfortable with it. MAYBE IN YOUR FAMILY, MARRIAGE, ETC – you got so many negative reports – you just settle with it. A lot of people give up because their dreams - they did not come to pass.

The reason is that we don’t water our seed in faith.  How! by thanking and praising God like Abraham did. When everything is impossible he planted seeds of faith of praise to God.

When negative thoughts come begin to thank God.  We need to get into praise and thanksgiving.  We do not want to blame God and beg God for this and that.  You don’t have to be a beggar but be a believer. Begin to speak those things to happen! The bible says speak those things that are not as if there is! Begin to thank God for the situation that looks impossible and need change.

DO NOT USE YOUR WORDS TO DISCRIBE YOUR SITUATION BUT USE YOUR WORDS TO CHANGE YOUR SITUATION.  DON’T TALK TO GOD HOW BIG YOUR MOUNTAINS ARE BUT TALK TO THE MOUNTAINS HOW BIG YOUR GOD IS. DON’T TALK FAILURE BUT KEEP TALKING ABOUT YOUR VICTORY IN CHRIST. DON’T DWELL ON THE YOUR FAILURES.  START TALKING ABOUT YOUR DREAMS.

ROM. 4:18-22

This is what Abraham did. God promised a seed and many sons of faith to Abraham. And out of that seed will produce many other seeds.  Seeds of faith is in you and me. Of course, they were too old to do that physically. But he Abraham never thought how old he was and Sarah.  Maybe it won’t happen.  But the Bible said, Abraham did not waver in his faith in the promises of God, but he grew strong and giving praise and thanksgiving to his God.  We don’t go strong by complaining or speaking about how much problem we have and giving into negative thoughts. 

God if I don’t get that job it’s hopeless. Too many people are applying. Oh, maybe I don’t deserve it. You know my problem it is so many years now and I don’t see any change or miracles happening. Don’t give in to unbelief.

When Abraham negative thoughts came he started praising God.  The bible says, “out of our heart our mouth speaketh.” We do not want to be a complainer but a praiser.  When you are full of praise you will be strong. Faith cometh by hearing and speaking the Word of God Grace. It will never fail you. For all the promises of God in Him are yes, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. – 2 Corinthians 1:20.  Victory belongs to those who will not take “NO” for an answer. Why? Because the promises of God are “YES” and “AMEN.”  A BIG YES AND AMEN!